Nintendo Download: 21 December 2009 (North America)

Nintendo are putting out a decent number of titles in North America with the end of the year rapidly approaching, with a nice mix of new and catch-up titles on offer. Todays VC and WiiWare offerings mean that there's now 500 titles to choose from if you're looking for downloadable games on the Wii in North America!

WiiWare

Eco Shooter: Plant 530 (1000pts - Nintendo) -- We gave our thoughts on this title when it first appeared on the Japanese WiiWare service last month. It's a rail-shooter with alien-animated tin rubbish as the enemy; we'll let you know if should should strap in for some recycling action or leave it for the dustman.

Happy Holidays: Christmas (500pts - 505 Games) -- It's terribly unlikely that the publisher or developer have made any changes to make this application any less of a waste of time than we thought it was when it was released in Europe a couple of weeks ago.

Virtual Console

Super Smash Bros. (1000pts N64 - Nintendo) -- There have been people clamouring for this title on the Virtual Console since N64 support was first announced and now gamers in North America finally have a chance to play it themselves. In case you're unsure about the hype you can always check out Drake's review of the game from wayyyy back when it was released in Europe!

Freak out!

Ninja Gaiden (600pts Arcade - Tecmo) -- North America is also the last to get this arcade classic from Tecmo, but don't feel bad because it's 200pts cheaper than the Japanese release! Again, you can check out our fantastic review before deciding to part with your hard-earned points.

DSiWare

UNO (800pts - Gameloft) -- The classic card game finally comes to North America on the DSi (can the WiiWare version be far behind?). James thought it was pretty good so if you like online card games you might want give it a try.

Dragon's Lair (800pts - Digital Leisure, Inc.) -- The original Laserdisc game comes to the DSi! We originally thought this was going to be a full retail cart release, so it will be interesting to see how well it does in download form. Look for our review soon!

Hot and Cold: A 3D Hidden Object Adventure (800pts - Majesco) -- Finding hidden objects is quite a popular passtime in the world of online flash games; we'll let you know how compelling an offering it makes on DSiWare.

Nintendo Download500th Downloadable Wii Game Makes for a Smashing Holiday Season

Deck the halls with downloadable fun this week as Nintendo offers 11 new games to engage and entertain everyone in the household. Among this week’s highlights is the Virtual Console™ debut of the original Super Smash Bros.™ game, bringing the total of downloadable games for the WiiWare™ and Virtual Console services to a fabulous 500 and featuring a host of beloved characters from across the Nintendo universe. New WiiWare offerings include the Earth-conscious action game Eco Shooter: Plant 530™ and a sequel to the quiz-lovers’ favorite TV Show King. For Nintendo DSiWare™ fans, fresh arrivals include hand-held versions of the card-table classic UNO™ and the pioneering arcade game Dragon’s Lair®. For rollicking multiplayer fun, mellow single-player diversions and everything in-between, Nintendo’s got you covered for the holidays and beyond.

Virtual ConsoleSuper Smash Bros.Original platform: Nintendo 64™Publisher: NintendoPlayers: 1-4ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Cartoon ViolencePrice: 1,000 Wii PointsDescription: Choose from an all-star cast of Nintendo characters in a frantic melee to prove who will be the ultimate brawler. Utilize the easy-to-learn but hard-to-master controls and battle it out in the single-player mode, earning point bonuses and unlocking hidden characters along the way. Enter VS Mode to take on up to three other players simultaneously. Inflict damage using each character’s unique set of special moves, familiar items and power-ups, eventually winning by knocking your opponents off the screen in one of the interactive stages, each with a Nintendo theme. Need a moment to catch your breath? Polish your skills in Training Mode or destroy targets in Bonus Stages specific to each character. Are you ready to test your mettle against all comers, including the powerful Master Hand?

Ninja GaidenOriginal platform: ArcadePublisher: TECMOPlayers: 1-2ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Alcohol Reference, Suggestive Themes, ViolencePrice: 600 Wii PointsDescription: Take control of a ninja, master of the Five Ninja Fighting Arts of assassination passed down since the chaotic times of feudal Japan, and enter “Jungle,” a terrifying American city, to crush waves of foes who are part of an assassination syndicate. Use three buttons to execute exciting moves like the Flying Neck Throw, the Hang Kick and the Triple Blow Combination. Each stage is based around popular Western misconceptions about ninja and Japan, making the game world a fantastic mix of ninja and American pop culture. Game settings such as the starting number of player characters and the difficulty level can also be adjusted.

WiiWareEco Shooter: Plant 530Publisher: NintendoPlayers: 1ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Fantasy ViolencePrice: 1,000 Wii Points™Description: Earth’s empty cans have been brought to life by the Cannoids, an alien race determined to destroy the planet. Only Mack, a technician from the recycling facility Plant 530, stands in their way as Earth’s last line of defense. Step into Mack’s shoes in this guided first-person shooter as he takes on the invading aliens with only his trusty recycle cannon and a can-do attitude. Blast and vacuum (yes, vacuum) your way to victory, keeping in mind that every shot counts. Your ammo also doubles as your health, and every enemy you destroy leaves behind Can Energy that you can vacuum up and use as ammo. Uncomplicated controls (including optional use of the Wii Zapper™ accessory) give everyone the chance to save the planet, while advanced tactics like consecutive hit combos and the tough Challenge mode give even the best players a run for their money. Are you ready to step up and put a dent in their cans?

TV Show King 2Publisher: GameloftPlayers: 1-4ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Drug ReferencePrice: 800 Wii PointsDescription: TV Show King is back for a second round. There are 8,000 questions sorted into 12 categories on the program, including general knowledge, sports, movies, music and more. And that’s without counting the questions that you can create yourself. Here’s everything you need to compete with your friends, or with players all over the world thanks to Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection.

PallurikioPublisher: Playstos EntertainmentPlayers: 1ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)Price: 1,000 Wii PointsDescription: Jump and roll with Pallurikio, a fast-paced action platformer that’s easy to pick up yet challenging to master. While playing a mysterious board game he found with his friends, Rusty is sucked into a dimensional vortex and finds himself in a mystical and wondrous world where he assumes the aspect of the round and bouncing Pallurikio. Using the Wii Remote™ controller, make Pallurikio jump and roll and help him find his way through more than 50 enticing levels while surviving all kinds of pitfalls and trickeries in Bakumbala Jungle, the far reaches of Palluro Prime and many other weird settings. Featuring physics simulation, Time Attack mode, collectible cards and space rockets to boot, Pallurikio is a game you won’t want to miss.

Happy Holidays: ChristmasPublisher: 505 GamesPlayers: 1ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)Price: 500 Wii PointsDescription: Planning a Christmas party and want to grab guests’ attention? Or want to send greeting cards without the hassle of licking stamps? Here’s the solution: Create and send fun Christmas cards with this unique WiiWare application. Happy Holidays Christmas lets you make fun Christmas-themed e-cards and send them straight to friends’ Wii™ consoles. Add a tree and decorations; choose frames, stickers and music; then write a message to friends you’ve registered in your Wii Address Book. It might not snow this Christmas, but with this fun new software your holiday is guaranteed to be a happy one.

Nintendo DSiWareUNOPublisher: GameloftPlayers: 1-4ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™Description: Get ready to call out “UNO!” on your Nintendo DSi™ system. The world-famous card game has been faithfully reproduced for the Nintendo DSi system and features exciting new rules. With a multiplayer mode that can be accessed by local wireless play or with broadband Internet access and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, playing UNO has never been so fun and easy, so be the first to get rid of all your cards.

Dragon's LairPublisher: Digital Leisure Inc.Players: 1ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive ThemesPrice: 800 Nintendo DSi PointsDescription: You play the heroic Dirk the Daring, a valiant knight on a quest to rescue the fair princess from the clutches of an evil dragon. Control the actions of the daring adventurer and find your way through the castle of a dark wizard who has enchanted it with treacherous monsters and obstacles. In the mysterious caverns below the castle, your odyssey continues against the awesome forces that oppose your journey to the dragon’s lair. Dragon’s Lair is a fully animated classic arcade game from legendary animator Don Bluth.

Hot and Cold: A 3D Hidden Object AdventurePublisher: Majesco EntertainmentPlayers: 1-2ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)Price: 800 Nintendo DSi PointsDescription: You’re getting warm...warmer...hot! You’ve found Hot and Cold: A 3D Hidden Object Adventure, the new game that puts you on the job of finding people’s missing stuff. A voice in your head tells you whether you’re Hot or Cold when searching for things. Investigate cases all over town using your unique ability, and discover the secret behind the mysterious voice in your head. Throw objects out of your way, maneuver your way through a 3-D world, follow your Hot and Cold meter and more in this unparalleled hidden-object adventure.

High Stakes: Texas Hold‘EmPublisher: Hudson EntertainmentPlayers: 1-4ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Simulated GamblingPrice: 500 Nintendo DSi PointsDescription: Hudson proudly presents the definitive Texas Hold‘Em game for Nintendo DSiWare with High Stakes Texas Hold‘Em. High Stakes allows players of any level to enjoy Texas Hold‘Em game play. The popular No-Limit rule set used in many tournaments is included, so anyone can play with the big boys. With the added functionality of DS Wireless Communications, players can compete with others and test their skills. It’s the core Texas Hold‘Em experience on your Nintendo DSi system – anytime, anywhere.

myNotebook: GreenPublisher: NnoooPlayers: 1Price: 200 Nintendo DSi PointsDescription: myNotebook allows you to take notes wherever you are. Just pop open your Nintendo DSi system and jot down your thoughts. Make a list and cross it off, or even play your favorite pen-and-paper games (games not included). You can even personalize your notebook by drawing on the cover and changing the paper type with 18 unlockable squared and lined paper styles. Use the pen or pencil to make your notes or doodles, then erase the bits you don’t like. With five ink colors, you’ll always be able to make your notes and doodles look stylish.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

While I am very happy with SSB coming out today, it's terrible that they held this one back as long as they did just to hit a "milestone." Europe and Japan don't do that ridiculous milestone stuff NOA! Why do you! It's pointless and only serves to give us the games we want with a ridiculous amount of space in between. What stupid milestone will Nintendo come up with for Pilotwings? Better hope they think of something or else we'll be waiting until the 350th VC game for it!

Finally we have Smash. I was hoping Pilotwings was coming today with it but at least now we are completely caught up to Europe (plus one) on Arcade titles. On the WiiWare front I'm surprised not to see Cave Story and that should concern us all. With only one update left in 09 and Cave Story's absence on the Q1 release list, I think we're only a week away from confirming this game as vaporware. It's a shame too because this was the best WiiWare game to have been announced. I guess we'll see next week, huh?

Nice update! Nothing for me (though, Eco-shooter sounds interesting, waiting for the review), but I just got the perfect Xmas present to gift to my best friend, so YAY Smash! Thank you Nintendo for releasing it before Christmas.

Guess we will be Falcon Punching on Xmas day over here in Europe. Wonder if we will ever get "Excite Bike World Rally"? Would also be nice to get "Castlevania Rebirth" and "Cave Story", as mentioned above.

Pro-Wrestling? Decent downloads the last few weeks, (Blaster Master) but still waiting on Pro-Wrestling its been almost a year since it was confirmed and so far nothing!!Does anyone have any info on the company Rare? i heard Microsoft has purchased them for there download service but i also heard they have not ruled out the VC on the Wii. May we someday see some R.C. Pro-Am ?? It would be a dream come true

At least Smash Bros. is out before the holidays and it's one less game for people to whine about.

It's disappointing UNO and Dragon's Lair costs a little bit higher than expected. After all, UNO for the DSi was priced at 500 Nintendo Points in other territories while Dragon's Lair is $5 over at the iTunes App Store.

I'm interested to hear more impressions or reviews about Eco Shooter: Plant 530. I love Intelligent Systems' work so I'll be keeping a close eye on this to see whether it's a keeper or not.

Here's hoping Pilotwings, Castlevania Rebirth, or Cave Story will show up on the last Nintendo Download update for 2009.

AWESOME! We finally have the original Smash! but i already have brawl and still enjoy it, even more than the original. i think i'll get the original game some other time, since i may feel like getting something nostalgic to me and play it for the old stages

"That's good to hear. It's a unique and fun game, I was just cautious on how they would be condensing it to fit into DSiWare."

As was I, there is a slight bit of graininess to the graphics and you have to get used to playing on a portable screen but other than that its the Dragon's Lair you know and love from the arcades and it has 2 modes of play and a difficulty selection.

well i did download ninja gaiden and super smash bros....im wondering where is pro wrestling? i was hoping nintendo would release popeye arcade,mario bros arcade,and arkanoid arcade...plus im wondering if data east is going to release kung fu master arcade..the nes version was ok..but nothing compared to the arcade one

Okay, I'm glad they finally released Super Smash Bros., but c'mon! Not one other game of value?? Not ONE?! This was the freakin' holiday update, and all they gave us was one good game buried under a mountain of coal. Not cool.

I mean, just one other good game woulda been nice...since, well, I already got Super Smash Bros. on my N64(which I'll play in celebration of the VC release), so I pretty much got nothing here. Thank G-d XBLA had one of its best games on sale this week - at least I get one Xmas download game this year(although I'm very curious to see what PSN'll be doing this holiday season).

I dont see the point in getting the original Super Smash Bros when clearly SSB Melee and Brawl are azillion times better. But then again, it's all about the Nostalgia right? I never really had any with this game and after playing it again a few years ago it doesn't play or hold up as well as it did back in the day. but the same goes for most N64 games...nintendo's weakest system overall if you ask me. the Nes(especially), Snes and Wii on the other hand are GOLDEN.

Personally, I'm not thrilled with this week. SSB was fantastic in 1999 but it hasn't aged well at all. It was a fan-service game that became a surprise hit and it shows. Especially when you compare it to Melee and Brawl, which are actually detailed and well-made titles. SSB was fun but not quality. Though, I suppose it's still fitting as a milestone release, as it headed up one of Nintendo's most memorable franchises. At least people will shut up about it now.

The Nintendo Week aid that you can get Pilotwings for 800 Wii Points. So I thought that it was gonna be on here plus SSB, so I thought it would be one of the most awesome updates ever. But Shinobi came out instead, but it isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Yes, finally! I've been waiting for SSB since Europe got it. About freaking time it was released in North America. I guess we all know which game is coming next week (Pilotwings), not that I care about it anyway, I got SSB so I'm happy.